Men's Soccer

MORAGA, Calif. -
The fourth-ranked Santa Clara men's soccer team got back to its winning ways on Friday afternoon with a 1-0 victory over Saint Mary's in its West Coast Conference opener. With the win, SCU improves to 8-1-0 on the season, while the Gaels drop to 2-3-3.

"It is always good to start off conference play with a win, especially against a tough Saint Mary's team on the road," said head coach Cameron Rast. "We didn't play as well as our previous match, but tonight we got the result. We can take some good lessons away from this game and improve on them in the future."

Sophomore forward Keith DeVey, who had entered the game only 32 seconds prior to scoring, tallied the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute from the right side of the penalty box into the far side of the goal. Midfielder Medhi Ballouchy assisted on the Kula, Hawaii native's third goal of the season.

The early second half score came after a physical first half in which the teams combined for only five shots. The Broncos posted three shots, including a Peter Lowry free kick in the 33rd minute that sailed just over the top of the cage and bounced off the top of the goal.

Senior goalkeeper Kent Harkness posted his third shutout of the season, while the Broncos held their fifth opponent of 2004 scoreless.

SCU continued to edge its opponent in offensive opportunities, out-shooting Saint Mary's 8-6. It marked the eighth match of the year in which the Broncos have posted more shots than their opponent.

Santa Clara will return to Buck Shaw Stadium for the last time before Halloween night, on Sunday for its WCC home opener, as it hosts San Francisco in a 2 p.m. match-up.